Southampton are likely to resist Chelsea’s approaches for their trio of defenders, however, with the club so far steadfastly refusing to allow Van Dijk to leave despite him submitting a transfer request.

On Van Dijk’s possible exit, Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger insisted: ‘Virgil is not for sale in this window and it’s not personal.

Southampton will do everything possible to stop the likes of Soares and Van Dijk from leaving (Picture: Getty)

‘It’s not about him, it’s about an overall much, much, much bigger picture – a change of course for Southampton.

‘The first summer I was here five players went out and six went in, not counting academy. Second summer three went out, seven came in, and third summer five went out, five came in. Now it is one out and two in, and this is who we want to become.

‘We want to mature, we want to be a team that can profit from synergies that create a much more attractive football and a better product for the fans, and gives us a chance to get back into Europe.’